The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

I never would have known that a chance meeting some 63 years ago would have led to a friendship of a lifetime.

I can vividly recall the day when I was making my way to the post office to send a letter to my parents in Rock Sound. At the age of 12, my parents sent me to Nassau to live with my aunt to attend high school. It was a strict rule that each week I had to write a letter to my parents.

As I was walking to the Post Office on Bay Street, I came across two police officers who were walking the beat. “Boy, what’s your name? Where are you from? What are you doing? Who’s your family?” I was hit with a series of questions and I quivered in my shoes. I was sure my knees would buckle and I would fall to the pavement! Yes, it was young officer Albert Miller, accompanied by Conrad Knowles. That day, he put the fear of God in me!

Around 1957, our paths crossed again as, in my employment as a messenger for a lawyer’s office, I delivered letters to the Police barracks. As I recalled our first “meeting”, I made it a point to keep out of the way of Police Officer Miller!

Through the discipline that was learnt during his early years, Sir Albert worked his way up the ranks and achieved the designation of Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Having reached his glass ceiling, when he was offered a position in Freeport with Bahamas Amusements Ltd as Head of Security for the El Casino, he took it. As they say, when one door closes, another one opens. In his case, one huge disappointment turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.

In 1974, I was made Partner with Price Waterhouse and moved to Freeport. My predecessor, Bob Moyle, took me to the office of Bahamas Amusements in order to introduce me as the new Auditor. There again, I met Albert Miller. I will never forget the look of scrutiny he gave me on that introduction!

Our paths crossed regularly, at weekly Rotary meetings, business meetings, luncheons and at social occasions.

I admired Sir Albert greatly, for he was born in 1926 and during the 1929 hurricane and whilst travelling with his mother on a boat, they fell in the water. By the grace of the Almighty, the captain grabbed him and saved his life. His mother never recovered after taking ill and sadly, passed on. Sir Albert’s sister, Florrie, raised and loved him as her own son.

There were many special people in Sir Albert’s life, another being Father Jerome, who took him under his wing and taught him school lessons during the evenings.

Sir Albert cherished his years as a police officer and formed lasting bonds with many. He kept in touch and befriended many officers both here, in Nassau, and abroad. When he was knighted by the Queen, the officers rallied to celebrate “Sir Albert” by hosting a banquet in his honour.

Sir Albert was first class in everything – as a Bahamian, a policeman, a Rotarian, businessman and a family man.

He contributed greatly to the Bahamas and in particular, Freeport. This city was his life and passion. How he came from humble beginnings and rose through the ranks of life is something that every young Bahamian should study and try to emulate. Sir Albert was a part of the dynamic trio at the Grand Bahama Port Authority. He certainly was a diplomat and, like Sir Jack Hayward and Edward St. George, he was instrumental in keeping the flame of Freeport burning. There is so much more that can be said, as Sir Albert lived a most remarkable life.

Sadly, but inevitably, the torch has gone out, but the memory of a beloved friend will linger on in the sands of time. Sir Albert, you were a legend in your own time. You are gone, but shall never be forgotten.

MAITLAND CATES

Nassau,

August 31, 2015.